Wigan Athletic boss admits referee 'probably got matchwinning call wrong' in draw against Lincoln City

The visitors had the only effort on goal during the 90 minutes, a long-range strike in the first half from Ethan Hamilton that didn't trouble Sam Tickle.

Latics had only an early corner from Jonny Smith - making his first league start - that looked as though it might curl in before being clawed out by Lukas Jensen to shout about before the game’s major talking point five minutes from time.

Jensen could only fumble a left-wing cross from Jordan Jones into the path of substitute Chris Sze, who slotted home from close range.

However, the referee ruled Jensen had been impeded by another substitute, Charlie Wyke, as he attempted to regather, and Wigan's celebrations were cut short.

"I've watched it a couple of times back and, from the angle I had, I think it was probably the wrong decision," assessed Maloney.

"Just in terms of the goalkeeper dropping the ball before the contact with Charlie (Wyke).

"I try not to complain too much about decisions that don't go our way, it is what it is.

"Sometimes they go for you, and sometimes they go the other way.

"But I won't complain too much because I don't think we did quite enough to win the game."

On the draw, which continued Latics' impressive form over the last couple of months, Maloney added: "It was a pretty even game really.

"I thought Lincoln were very good defensively, as they have been in the last few games under their new manager.

"We found it very hard to break them down, and probably didn't do quite enough to win the game.

"We were just slightly off it and, against a team that is very well organised, we didn't create enough with the amount of possession we had.

"But I can't really say anything negative about the players, because what I really liked about the second half was the way they stayed patient.

“They’re a good side, but I never felt under a big threat, in terms of when they had the ball, maybe when they had set-plays, which they’re very good at, one of the best in the league.

"Conditions were quite hard for both sets of players on the pitch, and it ended up as a bit of a neutral game.

"We kept trying, but we probably didn’t quite do enough.”

In truth, neither side deserved to win a game desperately lacking in any kind of excitement or goalmouth action until five minutes from time, when Sze thought he had won it with his first league goal.

However, Wigan’s celebrations were cut short, with fellow substitute Callum McManaman booked for voicing his displeasure too loudly.

The result leaves Latics 14th in League One, with 23 points – including an eight-point deduction – from their 20 matches played.

They’re now seven points clear of the drop zone – and 13 off the play-offs.